Device for moistening envelopes



2 Sheets-Sheet (No Model.)

1). W. COLLINS. DEVICE FOR MOISTENING ENVELOPES, WRAPPERS, 8x0.

Patented Dec. 27,1892

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9m t e e h S m P & M om M. R s m 2 P A R W m NM ML E V O'N E O. .nu INv WT... N w D I O M R 0 F E G I V .L E e D d o M 0 W No. 488,751. Patented-Dec. 27 1892.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEFIcE.

DAVID W. COLLINS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

DEVICE FOR MOISTENING ENVELOPES, WRAPPERS, 80c.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 488,? 51, dated December 27, 1892.

B pplication filed September 3, 1892- Serial No. 444,956- (No model.)

- To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, DAVID W. COLLINS, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Devices for Moistening Envelopes, Vrappers, &c., which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

Myinvention consists of a device for moistening envelopes, wrappers, &c., embodying a movable head, a piece of absorbent material carried by said head, means for clam ping said piece, and adjusting the pressure thereof, and means for guiding said head, as will be hereinafter set forth. Y

Figures 1 and 4. represent perspective views of moistening devices embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a vertical section on line 00, 00, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a top View of a detached portion of Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 5 represents a vertical section on line y, y, Fig. 4.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

Referring to the drawingsz-A designates a stand or base from which rise the posts B, in which are vertical slots C forming guides for tongues D, the latter projecting from the piece E, which with the opposite piece F, forms a gravitating head for holding asponge H or other absorbent material, which is placed between said pieces and clamped by means of screws G, the lower portion J of said sponge protruding below the head E, F, as at J, so as to come in contact with the flaps of envelopes, wrappers or other papers, to be moistened. The screws G are provided with nuts K, for connecting the pieces E and F of the head, and adjusting the pressure on the sponge.

The operation is as follows:-A pile of envelopes, &c., is placed on the stand A, the head raised, and the sponge moistened, it being noticed that the gummed portions of the flaps of the envelopes or of wrappers the, to be moistened are belowthesponge. The envel0pes,&c., are drawn out one after the other, and as they contact with the portion J ;0f the sponge, the gum or adhesive material is moistened by the same in a convenient, rapid, uniform and reliable manuer. In order to render the sponge more effective, in acting upon the guinmed portions of the flaps of the envelopes, wrappers, &c., the head is curvilinear in length, and the sponge assumes a similar shape, so as to conform to the general shape of said gummed portion.

In Figs. 4 and 5, I substitute a box M for the pieces E and F of the head,shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and place therein the sponge R,on which is rested the follower N. Secured to the box are cross pieces P, to which are fitted the screws Q, the lower ends or points of which bear against the follower N, thus holding the sponge in position, and providing the necessary pressure thereupon. The lower end of the sponge protrudes through an opening L in the bottom of the box, the operation however, being similar in both constructions shown.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:-

l. A base, a standard rising therefrom in combination with a normally gravitating head containing an absorbent, said head being guided on said standard, substantially as described.

2. A gravitating or normally descending head containing an absorbent, a base, standards rising from said base and guiding said head, a follower in said head, a screw bearing against said follower, and a cross piece on the head carrying said screw, said parts being combined substantially as described.

DAVID W. COLLINS.

Witnesses:

JOHN A. WIEDERSHEIM, R. H. GRAESER. 

